Idioms can be fun and a challenge to learn in a foreign language. Here are some great ones in German!
1. um den heißen Brei herumreden
Literally: to talk around the hot porridge
English equivalent: to beat around the bush
2. Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen
Literally: You can take poison on that
English equivalent: You can bet your life on that
3. sich zum Affen machen
Literally: to make an ape of oneself
English equivalent: to make a fool of oneself
4. eine Extrawurst verlangen
Literally: to ask for an extra sausage
English Equivalent: to ask for special treatment
5. Da steppt der Bär
Literally: The bear dances there
English Equivalent: It will be a good party
6. Tomaten auf den Augen haben
Literally: to have tomatoes on one’s eyes
English Equivalent: to be oblivious to what is going around you
7. Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof
Literally: I can only understand “train station.”
English equivalent: It’s all Greek to me.
